But Police Minister Bheki Cele says the lockdown has presented the service with new challenges. 

Top of mind, however, when Cele presented his adjusted budget to Parliament on Friday was the ongoing battle against gender-based violence.

The police minister says it’s meant the constant shifting of goalposts between law enforcement and the respect for civil liberties.

It’s also redefined visible policing.

More than 10,000 officers have either been infected or affected by COVID-19 and 95 officers have died.  

Police academies are now being converted into quarantine facilities for officers and their families.

The lockdown has once again put gender-based violence in sharp focus.

"The tide must change on how we respond on GBV matters," Cele said.

"It’s time perpetrators are taken away from their homes and victims must stay in their homes.”

R15-million has been set aside to bolster the police’s response to gender-based violence, including the recruitment of more female police officers. 

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